KES – “Carry On” x ‘Audio Justice’ EP

If Disney still made their cartoon movies – none of these recent computer animated ones, or Hannah Montana-type shows – I’d imagine that KES’ song “Carry On” would appear in one of them. It’s motivational without being gimmicky, inspirational without being corny, and hopelessly stuck in my head. I can hear it playing while some heroine overcomes whatever adversary she’s facing.

But you haven’t heard of KES, either?

That’s okay. Most people haven’t. He’s a Compton singer, songwriter, and producer who Babyface and LA Reid also liked, for good reason, and signed him to Epic.

In 2013, it’s hard to imagine. We’re talking a brand new artist, who already has his lane with an incredibly developed and distinct sound? It’s like knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life when you’re eight. Rarely does it happen, but when it does…I don’t know what that feels like, but I’s imagine that a few people discover their calling that early and run with it.

His Audio Justice EP is a short but sweet listen, showcasing the Compton singer’s spectrum. No rapey&B here, folks. His singing, writing, and production is amazing because it’s like he has one foot in the ’80s and the other foot planted firmly in the sounds of now.